Dub Side of the Mule [2015]

by Gov't Mule

Overview

The Gov't Mule live archival series, which began in 2014 with Dark Side of the Mule and continued with Sco-Mule, continues with this document from the band's 2006 New Year's Eve Beacon Theater show. This is the "standard version" (among several) of Dub Side of the Mule from the middle of a three-set evening. It's the reggae set with the legendary Toots Hibbert fronting the band on all but the last track. He is in excellent voice throughout, living up to his reputation as one of the greatest reggae singers of all time. For this evening, Gov't Mule comprised original members Warren Haynes on guitars and vocals and Matt Abts on drums, with Danny Louis on keyboards, Andy Hess on bass, and percussionist Sean Pelton. They are augmented by additional guitarist Gordie Johnson, a three-piece horn section, and Machan Taylor and Elaine Caswell on backing vocals. The mighty heavy Mule playing reggae isn't as odd as it might initially seem; rhythmically, they are one of the tightest bands in the business, and groove is in everything they do. There are a ton of surprises here. Some hard blues riffing transforms into rocksteady dreadwise party music as Hibbert -- with Johnson on co-lead vocalist -- lays out a hard-skanking read of Al Green's "I'm a Ram." Next up is "54-46 Was My Number," the first in a series of Toots & the Maytals classics that also include great performances of "Pressure Drop," "True Love Is Hard to Find," and "Reggae Got Soul." Also included is one of the earliest, grittiest performances of their joint reading of Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle," as well as a lover's rock take on the Southern soulman's "I've Got Dreams to Remember." Hibbert was deeply influenced by Redding and expresses himself not only with requisite skill, but wrenching emotion. The band and chorus frame him with just enough weight to let him soar. The biggest surprise is a triumphant, near-ska version of Radiohead's "Let Down" that slides in a horn riff from Men at Work's "Who Can It Be Now." (While that might read like it's dreadful, the chart is clever.) A spirited take on the Malone/Scott R&B nugget "Turn on Your Lovelight" is a smoker, while a reggae version of Haynes' "Soulshine," which blows away virtually every other version previously issued (even though it's without Hibbert), closes it out. As fans might suspect, this is not one of the Mule's standard guitar-blasting sets. There are many fine Haynes' solos and there are a few longer jam tracks, but over half this date consists of tunes between three and six minutes in length. This is part of Dub Side of the Mule's considerable charm: it stands out from many other Gov't Mule live recordings because it reflects the sound of a singular rock band reveling in their collaboration with a reggae legend. ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	04/07/2015
Label:	Evil Teen
UPC:	0651751122215

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Gov't Mule   Primary Artist
Jenny Hill   Saxophone
Elaine Caswell   Vocals (Background)
Sean Pelton   Drums,Percussion
Toots Hibbert   Vocals,Featured Artist
Warren Haynes   Guitar,Vocals
Danny Louis   Keyboards
Andy Hess   Bass
Jay Collins   Saxophone
Machan   Vocals (Background)
Neil Larsen   Keyboards
Jerry Jemmott   Bass
Matt Abts   Drums,Percussion
Val McCallum   Guitar
Machan Taylor   Vocals (Background)
Gordie Johnson   Guitar,Vocals
Gregg Allman   Vocals,Keyboards,Featured Artist
John Popper   Harmonica,Featured Artist
Buford O'Sullivan   Trombone
Steve Potts   Drums
Pam Fleming   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Allen Woody   Composer
Alvertis Isbell   Composer
Paul McCartney   Composer
Betty Jean Newsome   Composer
Bob Dylan   Composer
Bob Seger   Composer
Bill Wyman   Composer
Keith Reid   Composer
Colin Greenwood   Composer
Chuck Willis   Composer
James Brown   Composer
Frederick Hibbert   Composer
Ed O'Brien   Composer
Elmore James   Composer
Greg Calbi   Mastering
Don Robey   Composer
Warren Haynes   Composer,Producer
Joe Rock   Composer
John Lennon   Composer
Kathleen Brennan   Composer
Phil Selway   Composer
Marshall Sehorn   Composer
Rick Hall   Composer
Matt Abts   Composer
Otis Redding   Composer
Thom Yorke   Composer
Al Green   Composer
Tom Waits   Composer
Brian Jones   Composer
Gordie Johnson   Mixing
Marcus Daniel   Composer
Zelma Redding   Composer
Keith Richards   Composer
Charlie Watts   Composer
Gregg Allman   Composer
Jonny Greenwood   Composer
Mick Jagger   Composer
Jacob Sciba   Assistant
Stefani Scamardo   Executive Producer
Allen Jones   Composer
Jeff Schulz   Design,Cover Art
Dino Perucci   Photography
Warwick Lynn   Composer
Gary Booker   Composer
Joseph Scott   Composer
Mabon Hodges Lewis   Composer
Matthew Fisher   Composer
Canzetta Sussewell   Composer
Clarene Carter   Composer